"What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. "

Thomas á Kempis

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"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel."

Thomas á Kempis

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"We must not be behind time in doing good; for death will not be behind his time. "

St Phillip Neri

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Bro Lawrence
(1610-1691)

THE PRACTICE OF THE
PRESENCE OF God (cont)

by Bro Lawrence

Letters

15. Fifteenth Letter - From his death-bed.
Repeats the same exhortation to knowledge, that we may love.

God knows best what we need. All that He does is for our good. If
we knew how much He loves us, we would always be ready to receive
both the bitter and the sweet from His Hand. It would make no
difference. All that came from Him would be pleasing. The worst
afflictions only appear intolerable if we see them in the wrong
light. When we see them as coming from the hand of God and know
that it is our loving Father who humbles and distresses us, our
sufferings lose their bitterness and can even become a source of
consolation.

Let all our efforts be to know God. The more one knows Him, the
greater one desires to know Him. Knowledge is commonly the measure
of love. The deeper and more extensive our knowledge, the greater
is our love. If our love of God were great we would love Him
equally in pain and pleasure.

We only deceive ourselves by seeking or loving God for any favors
which He has or may grant us. Such favors, no matter how great,
can never bring us as near to God as can one simple act of faith.
Let us seek Him often by faith. He is within us. Seek Him not
elsewhere.

Are we not rude and deserve blame if we leave Him alone to busy
ourselves with trifles which do not please Him and perhaps even
offend Him? These trifles may one day cost us dearly. Let us begin
earnestly to be devoted to Him. Let us cast everything else out of
our hearts. He wants to possess the heart alone. Beg this favor of
Him. If we do all we can, we will soon see that change wrought in
us which we so greatly desire.

I cannot thank Him enough for the relief He has given you. I hope
to see Him within a few days. Let us pray for one another.